Ceiling suspension system



Dec. 1, 1959 1-: A KORKA I 2,915,275

cmuuc suspmusron SYSTEM Filed Sept. 14, 1956 Fig. 3

mmvron Eugene A. Korko BY WZM ATTORNEY United States Patent 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-327) This invention relates to a suspended ceiling suspension system and is particularly directed to the combination of a channel-holding clip for rapid afiixation at adjustable positions to a vertical suspending wire.

Suspended ceilings are commonly constructed where a false ceiling is desired substantially lower than an existing upper floor or roof underside. Such ceilings may be constructed of insulating or acoustical fiber tiles, metal pans, gypsum board or other building board, and include flush type fluorescent fixtures, heating and ventilating units, and many other common building elements. These ceiling elements are normally attached to horizontally extending metal channels and runners suspended by means hidden thereabove by the ceiling elements, which channels and runners are supported by vertical wires or rods afiixed to the upper floor or roof underside. Various means have been provided heretofore for attachment of the horizontal channels to the vertical wires or rods.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for attachment of the horizontal. channels to the vertical wires or rods.

An object of the invention is to provide such means as are susceptible of very rapid application to the channels and wires.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for ready attachment to previously installed suspension systems for subsequent addition of newly desired ceiling 1 structure elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide such means which are capable of repeated readjustment prior to final positioning and which on final adjustment provide a strong and dependable ceiling support means.

These and other objects will be more apparent when considered in connection with the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of suspended ceiling showing suspension members embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the channel attaching portion of Fig. l, embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the channel of Fig. 2 taken along the section 33.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a roof or upper floor 10 having vertical wires 12 suspended downwardly therefrom. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, T- shaped runners 14 are hung in parallel horizontal alignment throughout the extent of a false or suspended ceiling 16 and are supported by the lower extent of wires 12 tied thereto. Ceiling 16 consistsessentially of rectangular flat tiles 18 disposed on and supported by the horizontal flanges of the T-runners 14.

At spaced positions in suspended ceiling 16 relatively heavier light troffers 20 are positioned, in place of a tile 18, and, being heavier, they require additional supporting strength, rather than merely the support of the relatively light weight T-runners 14. For this reason, the light tr'ofier 20 is hung at each end thereof from a relatively 2,915,275 Patented Dec. 1, 1859 heavier, C-shaped, steel channel 22, extending above and parallel to T-runner 14.

Each end of each channel 22 is afiixed for support to an intermediate portion of a vertical wire 12 by means of a novel U-clip 24.

U-clip 24 is formed essentially from a rectangular sheet of metal bent into a vertical web 26, an upper horizontal arm 28, and a lower horizontal arm 30, the horizontal arms 28, 30 extending outwardly in the same direction from the top and bottom edges respectively of vertical web 26. Vertical web 26 includes a central hole 32 and a threaded nut 34 welded coaxially adjacent thereto. Bolt 36 is threadedly disposed through hole 32 and nut 34, with bolt head 38 disposed outwardly of U-clip 24.

Horizontal arms 28, 30 each have a slot 40, 42 extending inwardly from one lateral side, each slot 40, 42 being substantially equal or slightly wider than the diameter of wires 12 and extending from the lateral side to substantially the center of each horizontal arm 28, 30, acutely away from vertical web 26, the inner ends 44, 46 of slots 40, 42 being at the greatest distance from vertical web 26.

Wire 12 extends vertically through the inner ends 44, 46 of slots 40, 42 and steel channel 22 extends horizontally through the opening in U -clip 24 formed by the vertical web 26, horizontal arms 28, 30 and wire 12. Channel 22 is urged tightly against wire 12 by bolt 36 tightened into nut 34. and extending therethrough and against the channel 22. Bolt 36 is tightened in nut 34 sufficiently to grasp wire 12 between channel 22 and slot ends 44, 46 whereby the U-clip 24 and, thus, channel 22 are supported vertically with suflicient strength to support the relatively heavy light troffer.

In the preferred form shown, C-shaped channel 22 has elongate flanges 48, 50 directed towards wire 12 and disposed immediately within the confines of horizontal arms 28, 30, providing a strong clamping of wire 12 against the slot ends 44, 46.

It will be apparent from a consideration of the disclosed embodiment, that the U-clip, channel and wire combination may also be advantageously used for supporting the entire suspended ceiling, air conditioning ducts, pipes and many other common elements of suspended ceiling construction. The applicability of this combination to previously existing vertical wires in remodeling and adding additional construction elements will also be apparent. The above combination permits of endless vertical readjustment of the several U-clips prior to a final positioning and tightening. It further permits a plurality of vertically spaced U-clips and channels to be suspended from one original system of vertical wires, supporting various differing vertically spaced elements on a single pair or group of wires.

Having completed a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of my invention so that those skilled in the art may practice the same, I contemplate that variations may be made without departing from the essence of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a ceiling suspension system, a vertical wire affixed at the top end thereof to a fixed building element, an elongate, generally horizontal ceiling framework element spaced downwardly from said fixed building element, and a U-clip straddling said horizontal element and locking said horizontal element against downward movement relative to said vertical wire, said U-clip comprising a vertical web, a horizontal upper arm and a horizontal lower arm, said horizontal arms having slots, at least as wide as said wire,.extending inward from the side edges of said horizontal arms in a direction acutely away from said vertical web, said wire extending through zontal arm of said U-clip, said U-clip; further comprising means for urging said horizontal element against said wire whereby said wire is grasped between saidhorizon tal element and the edges of said slots.

2. Theceiling suspension system defined in claim'l, wherein said horizontal ceiling framework element. is an elongate channel of G-shaped cross section, said channel havin'g opposed horizontal flanges directed toward and 4 abutting said wire immediately adjacent said U-clip horizontal arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 623,377 Leger April 18, 1899 1,546,839 Klingel July 31, 1925 2,045,307 OConnell June 23, 1936 2,124,311 Nelson July 19, 1938 2,142,659 Schurmann Jan. 3, 1939 2,208,358 Chandler July 16,. 1940 2,763,521 Fuge Sept. 18, 1956 

